#1 Why you need to be careful when rescuing cats


1. Feral cats should not be domesticated

Most feral cats are able to feed themselves
by hunting due to their wild instincts.

However, during seasons when it is difficult to hunt, like the winter,
or when it is challenging for feral cats to find food on their own,
it is quite helpful to give them water and cat food.

When doing so,
you should maintain enough distance from the feral cats
so that they don’t get used to receiving human’s help.

If feral cats get too used to getting help from humans,
they will lose their wild instinct and wariness
and thus may find themselves in dangerous situations.


2. Rescuing kittens can be considered kidnapping?

Baby kittens cannot selfregulate their body temperature
and do not know how to groom themselves.
As such, mother cats do not leave their kittens alone.

If, however, a baby kitten is left by herself,
her mother could have left her temporarily
to go find food.

Also, baby kittens who are with their mother
are usually clean and healthy,
so you should not rescue them carelessly.
When cats need to be rescued

1. In the case of adult cats

Stray cats who have fully grown
are already used to living on the streets,
so they do not need to be rescued.

However, if a stray cat is not afraid of humans
or follows them around and behaves in a charming way,
it could mean that they’ve become accustomed to getting human help.

In such cases, stray cats need to be rescued
as it may be difficult for them to survive in the wild.

Additionally, if a cat is injured or sick,
or if there’s been a natural disaster,
she may need to be rescued.


2. In the case of baby kittens

If a baby kitten who is alone
seems very thin or sick,
she may need to be rescued.

However, unless it is an urgent situation,
you should keep watch for at least 6 hours up to 24 hours
before taking the kitten.

If the kitten has become clean
or her stomach seems full,
it means that her mother has returned
and thus she should not be taken away.